How to Get a Job For Project Managers

Learn how to write resume and interview

Leadership for Project Managers

Learn how to lead and drive project success.

Project Management Bootcamp

From a beginner to project management professional.

Agile Project Management and SCRUM with AI

Learn to run Scrum and Agile with AI.

external dependencies

Links where project work relies on activities outside the project, which can dictate sequencing and timing of tasks.

Key Points

  • Connects project tasks to non-project work (e.g., vendor deliveries, regulatory approvals, market events).
  • Often outside the project team's direct control, increasing schedule uncertainty and risk.
  • Should be recorded in a dependency log and reflected in the schedule network with leads/lags as needed.
  • Managed via contracts, SLAs, coordination plans, and frequent communication with external parties.

Example

A software project cannot deploy a feature until an external payment gateway provider certifies the integration. The certification step, owned by the provider, is an external dependency that can delay the project's release.

PMP Example Question

A team plans system testing but must wait for a third-party vendor to deliver specialized hardware. What type of dependency is this?

  1. Discretionary dependency
  2. External dependency
  3. Internal dependency
  4. Finish-to-start relationship

Correct Answer: B — External dependency (reliance on non-project work)

Explanation: The testing depends on a vendor's delivery, which is outside the project boundary and control, making it an external dependency.

Advanced Project Management — Measuring Project Performance

Move beyond guesswork and status reporting. This course helps you measure real progress, spot problems early, and make confident decisions using proven project performance techniques. If you manage complex projects and want clearer visibility and control, this course is built for you.

This is not abstract theory. You’ll work step by step through Earned Value Management (EVM), learning how cost, schedule, and scope come together to show true performance. You’ll build a solid foundation in EVM concepts, understand why formulas work, and learn how performance data actually supports leadership decisions.

You’ll master Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), control accounts, and budget baselines, then apply core EVM metrics like EAC, TCPI, and variance analysis. Through a detailed real-world example, you’ll forecast outcomes, analyze trends, and understand contingencies and management reserves with confidence.

Learn how experienced project managers monitor performance, communicate results clearly, and take corrective action before projects slip. With practical exercises and hands-on analysis, you’ll be ready to apply EVM immediately. Enroll now and start managing performance with clarity and control.



Launch your career!

HK School of Management provides world-class training in Project Management, Lean Six Sigma, and Agile Methodologies. Just for the price of a lunch you can transform your career, and reach new heights. With 30 days money-back guarantee, there is no risk.

Learn More